- William Fitzsimmons (musician)
Infobox Musical artist
Name = William Fitzsimmons
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Background = solo_singer
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Origin =Pittsburgh ,Pennsylvania ,United States
Genre =Folk rock ,electronica
Occupation =Singer-songwriter
Instrumants = Guitar, banjo, piano, melodica, ukulele, mandolin
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Label = Unsigned
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URL = [http://www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons]
Notable_instruments =William Fitzsimmons is an
Illinois - (formerlyPennsylvania ) basedsinger-songwriter . Fitzsimmons is perhaps best known for his songs "Passion Play" and "Please Don't Go," which aired during pivotal scenes in ABC's medical drama "Grey's Anatomy " and award-winning daytime drama "General Hospital ", respectively. He has released two full-length albums, "Until When We Are Ghosts" (2005), and "Goodnight" (2006). His music has since been featured onMTV 's "Life of Ryan ", andLifetime 's "Army Wives ", and he has been given reference in the music publications "Billboard (magazine) ," "Paste," and "Performing Songwriter Magazine ".Bio
Fitzsimmons was born the youngest child of two blind parents, and was raised in
Pittsburgh ,Pennsylvania . He is said to have developed his multiple instrument abilities from his mother and father, both of whom were recreational musicians. His childhood home even housed a fully functionalpipe organ , said to have been built by hand by his father. He was taught the piano and trombone during elementary school, and began teaching himself guitar during his Jr. High years. He is also proficient at thebanjo ,melodica ,ukulele , andmandolin , and is known for mixingfolk music withelectronica in some of his production. In addition to performance abilities, Fitzsimmons is credited as the engineer and producer of all his recorded music. He is often compared to contemporariesIron & Wine ,Sufjan Stevens , and the lateElliott Smith .William's career in music came only after completing a
Master's Degree incounseling , and working as amental health therapist . Prior to his graduate studies, Fitzsimmons worked with thementally ill for several years. It was during a summer break in the midst ofgraduate school that Fitzsimmons recorded a collection of songs on home recording equipment which would subsequently become his debut album.Fitzsimmons' writing often includes reference to personal and family subject matter. His latest album, "Goodnight", is said to have been based largely on his own parents'
divorce during his adolescence.Fitzsimmons' music became noticed largely through
Myspace , the popular, internet social networking site, and eventual touring withIngrid Michaelson andCary Brothers .He currently lives in Illinois and is said to be writing for a new album and planning future tour dates.
Discography
*"Until When We Are Ghosts" (2005)
*"Goodnight" (2006)
*"The Sparrow and the Crow" (2008)External links
* [http://www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons William Fitzsimmons's Myspace]
* [http://www.thedroponline.com/index.php?s=william+fitzsimmons William Fitzsimmons Audio Interview at "The Drop" website]
* [http://laist.com/2008/05/10/william_fitzsim.php LAist Interview with William Fitzsimmons]
* [http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles/53946/volume-14-william-fitzsimmons.html Glide Magazine Strangers Almanac Column on William Fitzsimmons]
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